How to submit an article
for publication in GCM

Most of GCM’s articles deal with problems
faced by superintendents or describe techniques that allow superintendents
to do their jobs better. The magazine particularly welcomes contributions
from superintendents.

If you are a superintendent,
a one-page synopsis is not necessary. Please contact:

Detail the
author’s qualifications for writing the article. (Is the author
a superintendent who has faced the problem or an industry-related participant
who has specialized knowledge?)

Describe
in detail the problem addressed by the article and the author’s
solution or technique.

Describe
available artwork that could illustrate the article. GCM is
a color magazine -- good color illustrations, photos, graphs, etc.,
are a plus when the editors consider an article for publication.

Let the
editors know if the article has already been prepared, or if it is yet
to be written. If the article is not completed, include an estimate
of the completion date.

Upon receipt, GCM editors will review the synopsis
to determine if the suggested topic and treatment are appropriate. Editorial
submissions on individual golf course operations, outstanding superintendents,
special on-course projects, reconstruction, renovation and on-course applications
of technology are always welcome for review. The greater the emphasis
on the management role of the superintendent and the more effective the
presentation of that role, the greater the likelihood of acceptance for
publication. Notification of acceptance or rejection occurs as soon as
possible.

General Submission
Guidelines

Language: GCM generally employs
a blend of Associated Press and magazine style for published feature articles.
Even the most technically intricate articles often can be written in simple,
conversational style, using verbal illustrations to make a point. Use
short, precise words. Convey one thought per sentence. Construct brief
paragraphs.

Editing: GCM will edit all
published articles, and the editing staff can be ruthless. There is generally
no author review after the editing process.

Industry submissions:GCM welcomes
story submissions from companies within the golf course maintenance industry
or public relations firms representing these companies. However, these
stories should not be commercial in nature, should not be product specific
and are subject to extremely strict editing by GCM staff members.
Ideally, industry submissions will trade on the expertise of the submitting
company in the discussion of a topic of general interest to golf course
superintendents or focus on how a GCSAA member superintendent solved a
problem or improved the management of the golf course.

Illustrations:GCM is a full-color
magazine. An article’s chance of publication is greatly enhanced
if photographs or other illustrative material accompany the article.

Payment:GCM pays on acceptance
of articles and receipt of a signed author's agreement.

Preferred electronic software: Current
or recent versions of Microsoft Word for Windows are preferred. Contact
the editors if an alternative submission is planned.

Preferred mode for submission: Please
e-mail your article to the appropriate editor. If you do not have e-mail
access, please contact the editor about an alternative submission format.

Photo requirements: Photographs and
illustrations are vitally important to stories published in GCM,
and authors are strongly encouraged to include an appropriate amount of
these elements with their story submissions. GCM will accept
color prints, slides, negatives and digital images. When taking digital
photos for use in GCM, authors are strongly encouraged to use
cameras that are at least 3.2 megapixels or higher and are set to produce
the highest resolution file possible. Submitted digital photos should
be high resolution (at least 300 dpi) JPG, TIFF or EPS files and their
physical size should be at least 4 inches wide. Digital photos may be
submitted on CD-ROM or by e-mail. Original low-resolution digital photos
that have been altered into high-resolution files in Photoshop or other
photo editing programs are discouraged. Slides, photographs and negatives
will be returned to authors following publication.

Standard operating procedure for photographs:Photographs are a key element in complementing articles and in illustrating
advertisements in Golf Course Management and Newsline. It is the intention
of both publications to show the physical appearance of superintendents
in the most professional light possible. The GCSAA Board of Directors
approved the following publication dress standards.

Superintendents
will not be depicted in blue jeans.

Superintendents
will not be depicted in shorts.

Superintendents
will not be depicted in t-shirts or sweatshirts.

Hats are
allowed, but discouraged. Superintendents will not be depicted in hats
bearing seed, chemical, grounds equipment or other commercial logos.
Hats bearing employer/facility, GCSAA, or chapter logos are acceptable.

Superintendents,
including those with facial hair, must appear well-groomed.

Sunglasses,
when feasible, should be removed before taking a photograph for publication.

Competition: GCM will not reprint articles
if they have previously appeared in another national publication. Also,
once an article has been accepted for publication in GCM, we ask that
it not be submitted to other national golf/turf industry publications
or other publications. An article may be reprinted in a GCSAA-affiliated
chapter publication. However, we request that the article appear in GCM
first.

Leo Feser Award: All superintendent-written
articles are eligible for the Leo
Feser Award, presented first in 1956, and then annually since 1977
to the author of the best superintendent-written article published in
Golf Course Management magazine during the previous year. Winners receive
an all-expenses paid trip to the annual conference and show, are recognized
during the Opening Session and reception at conference and show, and have
their names engraved on a plaque permanently displayed at GCSAA headquarters.